Image display apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image display apparatus  104  according to the present invention includes a DB  130  which stores patient information of a subject, a display unit  140  that displays a group of intra-subject images of the subject and patient information, an input unit  120  that inputs at least a part of the patient information of the subject, a control unit  150 , and an I/F  160  that is communicatively connected to an external receiving device. The control unit  150  searches the DB  130  for patient information of a desired subject based on information input by the input unit  120 , and displays the searched patient information on the display unit  140 . The patient information is transferred to the external receiving device via the I/F  160 , and registered in the external receiving device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/577,027, filed on Apr. 11, 2007, which is the National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2006/316339, filed on Aug. 21, 2006,and which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos.2005-240252, filed on Aug. 22, 2005 and 2005-263090, filed on Sep. 9,2005, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image display apparatus fordisplaying a series of images captured at multiple time points,specifically to an image display apparatus which is suitable fordisplaying a series of intra-subject images captured by using a capsuleendoscope inserted in the subject.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a swallowable capsule endoscope has been developed inthe field of an endoscope. The capsule endoscope having an imagingfunction and a radio communication function is inserted from a mouthinto a body of a subject for an observation, and travels to captureimages of the inside of organs such as the stomach, the small intestine,and the large intestine according to their peristalsis until it isnaturally excreted.

While the capsule endoscope travels inside the organs, image datacaptured by the capsule endoscope in the subject body is sequentiallytransmitted to the outside of the subject by a radio signal to be storedin a memory provided in a receiving device placed outside of thesubject, or displayed on a display provided to the receiving device. Adoctor, a nurse, or the like can make a diagnosis based on imagesdisplayed on a display of an image display apparatus based on the imagedata stored in the memory, or images displayed on the display providedto the receiving device simultaneously with the data reception by thereceiving device (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2003-19111).

The receiving device as described above performs an initializationbefore receiving image data from the capsule endoscope by acquiringpatient information which identifies an examined subject from an imagedisplay apparatus which displays a group of intra-subject images,deleting patient information acquired at a previous examination, andnewly registering the newly acquired patient information. In addition,the receiving device is configured to check whether a subject to whomthe receiving device is attached is a target subject or not at a time ofattachment before receiving image data from the capsule endoscope.

Patient information registered in the receiving device can identify asubject by including plural types of information (such as patient name,date of birth, date of examination, and ID information) of a subject towhose body interior the capsule endoscope is inserted. In theconventional image display apparatus described above, however, when thepatient information of the subject is to be registered in the receivingdevice, all types of information included in the registered patientinformation have to be input one by one for each examination. Thus theregistration of the patient information in the receiving device iscumbersome.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to providean image display apparatus which can easily search for desired patientinformation of a subject from a database in which patient information ofplural subjects is stored, displays found patient information, andreduce a labor for inputting patient information at a time ofregistration of the patient information to the receiving device of agroup of intra-subject images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problems as described above and to achieve an object, animage display apparatus according to one aspect of the present inventionincludes a database that stores patient information including pluralpieces of information of a subject, a display unit that displays a groupof intra-subject images of the subject captured by a capsule endoscopeand patient information, an input unit that inputs at least a part ofinformation included in patient information of a desired subject, acontrol unit that searches the patient information of plural subjectsstored in the database for the patient information of the desiredsubject based on the at least a part of information input by the inputunit, to display the searched patient information on the display unit,and a communication unit that transmits the patient information searchedby the control unit to an external receiving device that receives agroup of intra-subject images from the capsule endoscope in the desiredsubject.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to another aspect ofthe present invention, the database may store case data which includesat least patient information of a subject and a group of intra-subjectimages, the input unit may input at least a part of information ofrelated information of the desired subject, and the control unit maysearch case data of plural subjects stored in the database for case dataincluding the at least a part of information input by the input unit todisplay the searched case data on the display unit.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the related information may be one ofpatient information and diagnosis data of a subject.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the control unit may search for pluralpieces of patient information including the at least a part ofinformation input by the input unit, to display a list of searchedplural pieces of patient information on the display unit.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the control unit may search for pluralpieces of case data including the at least a part of information inputby the input unit, to display a list of searched plural pieces of casedata on the display unit.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the communication unit may beselectively connected to one of an external server having a databasestoring patient information of plural subjects and an external receivingdevice for communication, and the control unit may select one of thedatabase of the external server connected to the communication unit forcommunication and the database, search the patient information of pluralsubjects stored in the database selected for patient informationincluding the at least a part of information input by the input unit,and display the searched patient information on the display unit.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the communication unit may beselectively connected to one of an external server having a databasestoring case data of plural subjects and an external receiving devicefor communication, the control unit may select one of the database ofthe external server connected to the communication unit forcommunication and the database, search the case data of plural subjectsstored in the database selected for case data including the at least apart of information input by the input unit, to display the searchedcase data on the display unit.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the input unit may input confirmationcompletion information indicating that the patient information searchedby the control unit is confirmed, and the control unit may determinethat confirmation of the patient information is completed based on theconfirmation completion information, and control the communication unitto transmit the patient information whose confirmation is completed tothe external receiving device.

Further, in the image display apparatus according to still anotheraspect of the present invention, the input unit may input confirmationcompletion information indicating that the patient information searchedby the control unit is confirmed, and the control unit may determinethat confirmation of the patient information is completed based on theconfirmation completion information, and displays the case dataincluding the patient information whose confirmation is completed on thedisplay unit.

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical andindustrial significance of this invention will be better understood byreading the following detailed description of presently preferredembodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a radio system foracquiring intra-subject information according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an image displayapparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display screen image of the imagedisplay apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another display screen image of theimage display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure of a landmark setting operation tobe performed by the image display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating still another display screen image ofthe image display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating still another display screen image ofthe image display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating still another display screen image ofthe image display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 a schematic diagram of an entire configuration of a radio systemfor acquiring intra-subject information according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a displayapparatus according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a search operation of patientinformation performed by the display apparatus according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a search operation of patientinformation performed by a display apparatus according to a modificationof the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a filingsystem according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a search operation of patientinformation performed by the filing system according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a filingsystem according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a search operation of patientinformation performed by the filing system according to the fourthembodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating one example of patient informationdisplayed on a display unit of the display apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of a radio system for acquiring intra-subjectinformation as a preferred embodiment of an image display apparatusaccording to the present invention will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present inventionshall not be limited to the embodiments. Throughout the drawings, thesame part is denoted by the same numeral.

First Embodiment

First, a radio system for acquiring intra-subject information providedwith an image display apparatus according to a first embodiment will beexplained. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an entire configuration ofthe radio system for acquiring intra-subject information. The radiosystem for acquiring intra-subject information uses a capsule endoscopeas one example of a body-insertable device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the radio system for acquiring intra-subjectinformation includes a capsule endoscope 2 which is inserted into a bodyof a subject 1 to wirelessly transmit image data of a capturedintra-subject image to a receiving device 3; the receiving device 3which receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the capsuleendoscope 2; an image display apparatus 4 which displays theintra-subject image based on an image signal received by the receivingdevice 3; and a portable recording medium 5 which transfers image dataand the like between the receiving device 3 and the image displayapparatus 4.

The receiving device 3 include a receiving antenna 6 having a pluralityof antennas 6 a to 6 h which are attached on an outside surface of thesubject 1. The receiving device 3 receives image data and the likewirelessly transmitted from the capsule endoscope 2 via the receivingantenna 6, and records every piece of the received image data so as toassociate with reception intensity information of respective antennas 6a to 6 h at the time of data reception.

The antennas 6 a to 6 h realized by a loop antenna for example, aredisposed at predetermined positions on the outside surface of thesubject 1, i.e., positions respectively corresponding to organs as apath of the capsule endoscope 2 inside the subject 1. The antennas 6 ato 6 h may be arranged at predetermined positions on a jacket or thelike to be worn by the subject 1. In this case, the antennas 6 a to 6 hare arranged at predetermined positions on the outside surface of thesubject 1 through the jacket or the like. An arrangement of the antennas6 a to 6 h may be changed arbitrarily depending on the purposes such asan observation, a diagnosis, or the like of the subject 1. The number ofantennas provided to the receiving antenna 6 is not necessarily limitedto eight as explained here as antennas 6 a to 6 h, and may be less ormore than eight.

The image display apparatus 4 realized by a work station having acathode-ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display, or the like forexample, displays an image based on image data obtained via the portablerecording medium 5 or the like. The image display apparatus 4 may outputthe image data to an output device such as a printer. The image displayapparatus 4 has a function of communicating with an external device, andobtains/outputs the image data via wired or radio communication.

The portable recording medium 5 realized by a compact flash (registeredtrademark) memory, CD, DVD and the like, is detachable with respect tothe receiving device 3 and the image display apparatus 4, and can recordor output various types of information such as the image data and thelike when the portable recording medium 5 is attached to the receivingdevice 3 and the image display apparatus 4. For example, the portablerecording medium 5 is attached to the receiving device 3 and records theimage data and the like transmitted from the capsule endoscope 2 to thereceiving device 3, while the capsule endoscope 2 travels inside thesubject 1. After the capsule endoscope 2 is discharged from the subject1, the portable recording medium 5 is removed from the receiving device3 and attached to the image display apparatus 4 to output the recordedimage data and the like to the image display apparatus 4. Since theimage data is transferred between the receiving device 3 and the imagedisplay device 4 via the portable recording medium 5, the subject 1 canfreely move while the capsule endoscope 2 is in the subject 1. The imagedata may be transferred through wired or radio communication between thereceiving device 3 and the image display apparatus 4.

Next, a configuration of the image display apparatus 4 according to thefirst embodiment will be explained. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of aconfiguration of the image display apparatus 4. As shown in FIG. 2, theimage display apparatus 4 includes an input unit 11 which allowsinputting various types of information; a display unit 12 which displaysthe various types of information; an image processor 13 which processesthe input image; a storage unit 14 which stores the various types ofinformation; and a control unit 15 which controls the processing andoperation of each unit of the image display apparatus 4. The input unit11, the display unit 12, the image processor 13, and the storage unit 14each are electrically connected to the control unit 15. The imagedisplay apparatus 4 further includes an interface for the portablerecording medium 5 so that the portable recording medium 5 can bedetachably equipped. The portable recording medium 5 is electricallyconnected to the control unit 15 when attached to the image displayapparatus 4.

The input unit 11 includes various switches, an input key, a mouse, atouch screen, and the like, and inputs various types of information suchas selection-information of an image to be displayed. An observer of thedisplayed image as an operator of the image display apparatus 4 performsvarious operations of reading the displayed image, image selection,image recording and the like via the input unit 11. The input unit 11may include an interface for wired or wireless communication such as auniversal serial bus (USB), IEEE1394, or the like so that images can beinput by an external device.

The display unit 12 includes a liquid crystal display and the like, anddisplays various types of information such as image data. Particularly,the display unit 12 displays various data such as image data stored inthe portable recording medium 5 or the storage unit 14, and theGraphical User Interface (GUI) window which requests the observer or thelike of the image display apparatus 4 to input various types ofprocessing information.

The storage unit 14 is realized by a ROM in which various processingprograms and the like are stored in advance, and a RAM which storesprocessing parameters for each processing, processing data, and thelike. The storage unit 14 can store image data input via the portablerecording medium 5 and the like, image data processed by the imageprocessor 13, display control data processed by an image displaycontroller 15 a, and the like.

The image processor 13 obtains image data from the portable recordingmedium 5 or the storage unit 14 based on a control by an imageprocessing controller 15 b, and performs various image processing on theobtained image data, such as a concentration conversion (gammaconversion and the like), a smoothing (noise elimination and the like),a sharpening (edge emphasis and the like), an image recognition(detection of featured-image area, computing of an average color, andthe like), and the like.

The control unit 15 is realized by a central processing unit (CPU) andthe like which execute various processing programs stored in the storageunit 14. Specifically, the control unit 15 includes the image displaycontroller 15 a and the image processing controller 15 b. The imagedisplay controller 15 a controls to display a series of images capturedat multiple time points as image data stored in the portable recordingmedium 5 or the storage unit 14 on the display unit 12. As the series ofimages specifically in the first embodiment, a series of images whichcapture the inside of organs of the subject 1 at multiple time pointsare displayed.

Specifically, the image display controller 15 a controls to display atime scale indicating an imaging period of the series of theintra-subject images, and to display an operation icon as an appendingunit that appends marker information indicating that a main displayimage displayed in a predetermined main display area among the series ofthe intra-subject images is an image of interest. The operation icon is,for example, displayed as an operation button on the GUI screen.

Based on the imaging time point of the image of interest to which themarker information is appended, the image display controller 15 afurther controls to display on the time scale a display area whichrepresents a time before an imaging time point of the image of interestor a time after the imaging time point of the image of interest, so asto be discriminable from other display areas on the time scale. Here, adetermination of which to display either the display area before theimaging time point or the display area after the imaging time pointdepends on the type of the marker information appended to the image ofinterest. When there are multiple images of interest to which the markerinformation is appended, the image display controller 15 a controls todisplay a display area between imaging time points of respective imagesof interest so as to be discriminable from other display areas on thetime scale.

For realizing the discriminative display, the image display controller15 a controls to display at least one of hue, color saturation,luminance, design (pattern), shape, and size of a desired display areaon the time scale so as to be discriminable from the other displayareas. Here, the desired display area to be discriminated from the otherdisplay areas on the time scale is one of two areas which are divided byan imaging time point of an image of interest on the time scale.Specifically, the image display controller 15 a controls todiscriminably display the display area before the imaging time point ofthe image of interest and the display area after the imaging time pointof the image of interest by differentiating at least one of hue, colorsaturation, luminance, design (pattern), shape, and size on the timescale.

The image display controller 15 a controls to display an image ofinterest to which the marker information is appended, as a thumbnail ina display sub-area separately from the main display area, and furthercontrols to display a relative time corresponding to an imaging timepoint of each thumbnail near the displayed thumbnails each. In thiscase, the image display controller 15 a can control to display relativetimes of respective thumbnails based on an imaging time point of areference thumbnail which is arbitrarily selected from thumbnailsdisplayed in the display sub-area.

The image display controller 15 a controls to display an operation iconand the like as a selection-information acquiring unit that acquiresselection-information for selecting the reference thumbnail. Theoperation icon is, for example, displayed as an operation button forexclusive use on the GUI screen, or an invisible operation buttonoverlapped with the thumbnail. A clicking operation on the operationicon by using a mouse provided to the input unit 11, for example,executes inputting predetermined selection-information. The informationdisplay controller 15 a can also control to update the referencewhenever selection-information is acquired according to the execution ofclicking on the operation icon and the like, i.e., wheneverselection-information is updated, and to display a relative time basedon an updated reference imaging time point.

The image processing controller 15 b obtains image data stored in theportable recording medium 5 or the storage unit 14 to output to theimage processor 13, and controls various image processing of the outputimage. The image processing controller 15 b outputs the image data whichis the result of processing in the image processor 13 to the storageunit 14 or the portable recording medium 5 for storage.

Next, the display screen (GUI screen) which is displayed on the displayunit 12 in the image display apparatus 4 will be explained. FIG. 3 is adiagram illustrating one example of the GUI screen displayed based on acontrol by the image display controller 15 a in the image displayapparatus 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 12 displays a window21 (“Examination/Diagnosis” window) as the GUI screen. The window 21includes a main display area 22 which displays a main display image andthe like; an image operation area 25 which has various image operationbuttons shown as an icon; a color bar 26 and a time bar 27 as a timescale indicating an imaging period of the series of intra-subjectimages; and a display sub-area 28 which exhibits a thumbnail and thelike, each being arranged from top to bottom in parallel according tothe order described above.

The main display area 22 exhibits a main display image 23 which is animage selected from the series of intra-subject images based oninstruction information input by the input unit 11; and an antennaarrangement plan 24 which schematically illustrates an arrangement ofthe antennas 6 a to 6 h on the outside surface of the subject 1. Themain display area 22 further includes textual information of name, IDnumber, sex, age, birth date, imaging date, imaging time, and the likeof the subject 1, which are associated with the intra-subject imageselected as the main display image 23. The main display area 22 canhouse predetermined two or more number of main display images accordingto a predetermined operation.

The antenna arrangement plan 24 schematically illustrates an arrangementof the antennas 6 a to 6 h together with a partial contour of thesubject 1. In the antenna arrangement plan 24, an antenna number as anidentification of each antenna is shown near each of the antennas 6 a to6 h. In FIG. 3, numerals “1” to “8” are denoted for the antenna number,for example. In the antenna arrangement plan 24, the antenna which hasmaximum reception intensity among the antennas 6 a to 6 h when theintra-subject image displayed as the main display image 23 is captured,is exhibited discriminably from the other antennas. FIG. 3 is a diagramillustrating a state where, as an antenna having maximum receptionintensity, the antenna denoted by “4” is shown discriminably from theother antennas, for example. To realize a discriminative display, theimage display controller 15 a can control to display at least one ofluminance, hue, and color saturation, of the antenna having the maximumreception intensity so as to be discriminable from the other antennas.

In the color bar 26, average colors of images in the series ofintra-subject images are exhibited respectively in the time-series orderas a whole. Specifically, a display area of each imaging time point onthe color bar 26 indicates an average color of each intra-subject imagecaptured at each imaging time point. Since the series of intra-subjectimages have organ-specific average colors respectively, the observer orthe like can recognize the organ captured in the intra-subject image ofeach imaging time point based on the transition of the average colorsalong the time axis (lateral axis in FIG. 3) on the color bar 26.

The color bar 26 has a format where the entire display area thereof isdivided into four in the lateral direction on the display screen.Divided color bars of respective divided levels indicate time-seriesaverage area-colors or time-series average period-area colors onrespective levels, which respectively correspond to divided image areasof the series of intra-subject images. In other words, the averagecolors of respective intra-subject images are computed per each dividedimage area of the entire image area divided into four, and averagearea-colors or average period-area colors of respective divided imageareas are displayed on the color bar 26 in an order corresponding to thedivided order, for each of four divided scale areas which are separatedas a result of division in the lateral direction of the display area ofeach time point.

According to the color bar 26, the observer or the like not only canrecognize organs captured in intra-subject images at multiple timepoints, respectively based on the transition in the average colors alongthe time axis of the divided color bar of each divided level, but alsocan easily estimate the detailed condition inside the captured organdepending on the divided image areas. Accordingly, when an average colorof a red color group is visually recognized on a divided color bar 26 awhich is the top level of four levels for a certain period, for example,the observer or the like can recognize that a bleeding portion ispresent inside the organ whose image is captured in the period, thebleeding portion is present within the imaged range corresponding to thedivided image areas on the top level of all intra-subject images in theperiod, and the like. Moreover, when an average color of a black colorgroup in an image area including the luminal portion is displayed on alevel of the divided color bars different from the level on which anaverage color of the other image areas is displayed, the observer or thelike can recognize the condition of the inside of organs within theimaged range excluding a luminal portion.

A slider 27 a which is movable in the time axis direction is displayedon the time bar 27. The slider 27 a indicates an imaging time point ofan intra-subject image displayed as a main display image 23 on the timebar 27, and moves on the time bar 27 in response to a changeover of themain display image 23. For example, when any one of image operationbuttons in the image operation area 25 is operated via a mouse and thelike (not shown), an image displayed as the main display image 23 ischanged from one to another, and then the slider 27 a moves to aposition indicating the imaging time point of the intra-subject imagedisplayed as the main display image 23 after the changeover.

In contrast, when the slider 27 a is operated to move by the mouse andthe like, an intra-subject image corresponding to an imaging time pointwhich is indicated by the moved slider 27 a is displayed as the maindisplay image 23. When the slider 27 a is operated to move in a row,images are each changed and displayed as the main display image 23 in arow correspondingly to the operations. According to the slider 27 a, theobserver or the like can operate to move the slider 27 a to an imagingtime point corresponding to an intra-subject image of a desired organwhich is picked out with reference to the color bar 26, so that theintra-subject image can be displayed immediately as the main displayimage 23.

Further, a marker 27 b for indicating an imaging period of a group ofimages each recognized as an image of interest among the series ofintra-subject images is displayed discriminably from the other displayareas on the time bar 27. In FIG. 3, for example, the marker 27 b isdisplayed in a color different from the color for the other displayareas, so that the observer or the like can visually and easilyrecognize the imaging period of the group of images of interest.

A start time point (time point at the left end of the marker 27 b) andan end time point (time point at the right end of the marker 27 b) ofthe imaging period indicated by the marker 27 a are set by an operationof a landmark button 29 serving as an operation icon for appendingmarker information to an intra-subject image. Specifically, anintra-subject image at an imaging time point which is set to the starttime point of the marker 27 b is displayed as the main display image 23.Then, the intra subject image as the main display image 23 is appendedwith marker information indicating the start time point by executing aclicking operation or the like on the landmark button 29 via the mouse(not shown). In the same manner, an intra-subject image at an imagingtime point which is set to the end time point of the marker 27 b isdisplayed as the main display image 23, and marker informationindicating the end time point is appended to the image displayed as themain display image 23. When the start time point and end time point areset in such a manner, the marker 27 b is displayed to clearly indicatethe designated imaging period.

According to the marker 27 b, the observer or the like can easilyrecognize that the intra-subject images within the imaging perioddesignated by the marker 27 b are the images of interest which shouldspecially be paid attention to. Since information of the marker 27 b,i.e., marker information indicating the start and end time points of themarker 27 b is recorded so as to be associated with intra-subjectimages, the imaging period in which an image of interest is present canbe displayed whenever the series of intra-subject images are displayed.Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time and effort the observeror the like requires for image search, and to perform an observation ofimages of interest effectively.

The left ends of the color bar 26 and the time bar 27 as serving as atime scale, indicate an imaging time point of the first image of thetime-series intra-subject images. The right ends thereof indicate animaging time point of the last image of the time-series intra-subjectimages. Normally, the imaging time point at the left end corresponds toa start time point of image data reception by the receiving device 3,and the imaging time point at the right end corresponds to an end timepoint of the image data reception.

In the display sub-area 28, an image selected and extracted from theseries of intra-subject images is displayed as a thumbnail 28 a.Specifically, the intra-subject image displayed as the main displayimage 23 according to a predetermined button operation or mouseoperation is additionally displayed in the display sub-area 28 as thethumbnail 28 a.

In the display sub-area 28, each thumbnail has individual additionalinformation displayed in the neighborhood as textual information 28 b.As the textual information 28 b, an imaging time of each of thedisplayed thumbnails, a relative time which corresponds to each of theimaging time points based on a predetermined reference time point, andcomments appended by the observer or the like are shown. In FIG. 3, forexample, relative times corresponding to respective imaging time pointsof thumbnails based on the reference imaging time point of the firstimage of the time-series images are shown as the textual information 28b.

In such a relative time display, it is possible to change a referencetime in accordance with a predetermined operation. Specifically forexample, by clicking on any one of the displayed thumbnails, the imagingtime point of the clicked thumbnail can be set as a reference forrelative time. In a textual information 28 b′ in FIG. 4, for example,the reference for relative time (time “00:00:00”) is changed to animaging time point of thumbnail 28 a-n as a result of clicking on thethumbnail 28 a-n.

With a relative time display for each thumbnail, the observer and thelike can estimate an intra-subject-imaging position of the thumbnail ofinterest. Specifically, when images capturing the diseased region andthe like are observed based on a reference imaging time point of anintra-subject image capturing the small intestine, for example, theposition of the diseased region can be calculated based on the startposition of capturing the small intestine, and the relative time of theimage capturing the diseased region.

The information content to be displayed as the textual information 28 bor 28 b′ in the display sub-area 28 is variable according to apredetermined operation. It is also possible to hide the textualinformation 28 b or 28 b′. The display sub-area 28 includes lines whichassociate thumbnails and imaging time points of the thumbnails shown onthe time bar 27, respectively.

Since there is a limitation in the display area available for thedisplay sub-area 28, a batch display with up to a predetermined numberof thumbnails 28 a can be allowed. FIG. 3, for example, illustrates acase where a batch display with up to five thumbnails is allowed. Whenthe number of extracted thumbnails 28 a is greater than thepredetermined number for the batch display, thumbnails over thepredetermined number replace currently displayed thumbnails and aredisplayed in response to the operation of the scroll bar 28 c displayedin the display sub-area 28. Each thumbnail displayed in the displaysub-area 28 is displayed as the main display image 23 in response to thepredetermined button operation or mouse operation.

Here, a procedure for setting a landmark will be explained. Theprocedure is for displaying the marker on the time bar 27 in the imagedisplay apparatus 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is aflowchart of the procedure for setting a landmark. As shown in FIG. 5,the image processing controller 15 b determines whether a landmarkbutton 29 is operated or not (step S101) to start the processing for thelandmark setting. When the landmark button 29 is not operated (“No” atstep S101), the determination processing is repeated in a predeterminedcycle.

When the landmark button 29 is operated (“Yes” at step S101), the imagedisplay controller 15 a displays a landmark setting dialog box foracquiring the detail of the marker information (step S102). At stepS102, the image display controller 15 a controls to display a landmarksetting dialog box 30 so as to override the window 21, for example asshown in FIG. 6.

In the landmark setting dialog box 30 shown in FIG. 6, “START OF FEATUREAREA” as an item for setting marker information which designates a starttime point of the marker shown on the time bar 27, “END OF FEATURE AREA”as an item for setting mark information which designates an end timepoint thereof, “NO SETTING” as an item for performing no setting, and“RELATIVE TIME REFERENCE” as an item for setting a reference forrelative time which is appended to the thumbnail 28 a as the textualinformation are present to allow a selection of any one of the items.

In the landmark setting dialog box 30, “OK” button for confirming theselected item, and “CANCEL” button for cancelling the setting operationwith the landmark setting dialog box 30 are present. When the “OK”button or “CANCEL” button is operated, the landmark setting dialog box30 is closed automatically after a predetermined processing.

Next, the image display controller 15 a determines whether any settingitem is selected on the landmark setting dialog box 30 or not (stepS103). When any item is selected (“Yes” at step S103), settings of theselected item are temporarily stored (step S104). On the contrary, whenany item is not selected (“No” at step S103), the process goes to stepS105. The determination processing at step S103 may preferably beperformed in a predetermined time passage after the execution of stepS102.

The image display controller 15 a then determines whether the “OK”button is operated on the landmark setting dialog box 30 or not (stepS105). When the “OK” button is operated (“Yes” at step S105), markerinformation is updated depending on the selected setting item (stepS106) and the marker based on the updated marker information isdisplayed on the time bar 27 (step S107). Then, the updated markerinformation is recorded in the storage unit 14 (step S108) to move tostep S111.

On the contrary, when the “OK” button is not operated (“No” at stepS105), the image display controller 15 a determines whether the “CANCEL”button is operated on the landmark setting dialog box 30 or not (stepS109). When the “CANCEL” button is not operated (“No” at step S109), theprocessing from step S103 is repeated. When the “CANCEL” button isoperated (“Yes” at step S109), every processing for the landmark settingis cancelled (step S110), the landmark setting dialog box 30 is closed(step S111), and the series of landmark setting processing ends.

At step S107, when the selected item on the landmark setting dialog box30 is “START OF FEATURE AREA”, and there is no other intra-subjectimages associated with marker information in the series of intra-subjectimages, the image display controller 15 a, for example as shown in FIG.7, marks the display area before the imaging time point of theintra-subject image which is newly associated with marker information onthe time bar 27 with a marker 27 c.

At step S107, when the selected item is “END OF FEATURE AREA”, and thereis no other intra-subject images associated with marker information inthe series of intra-subject images, the image display controller 15 a,for example as shown in FIG. 8, marks the display area after the imagingtime point of the intra-subject image which is newly associated withmarker information on the time bar 27 with a marker 27 d.

At step S107, when the selected item is “START OF FEATURE AREA” (or “ENDOF FEATURE AREA”), and there is an intra-subject image associated withmarker information which indicates an end time point (or a start timepoint) in the series of intra-subject images, the image displaycontroller 15 a, for example as shown in FIG. 3, marks the display areabetween respective pieces of marker information on the time bar 27 withthe marker 27 b.

As explained above, in the image display apparatus 4 according to thefirst embodiment, the markers 27 b to 27 d and the like each indicatingan imaging period of a group of images which is recognized as an imageof interest are present on the time bar 27 indicating the imaging periodof the series of intra-subject images. Such markers are displayed so asto be discriminable from the other display areas on the time bar 27.Thus, the observer or the like can easily recognize the imaging periodwhere images of interest are present, and thereby reducing the time andeffort for searching images of interest in every observation andresulting in realizing effective observation of the images of interest.

In the first embodiment described above, the series of images displayedin the image display apparatus 4 according to the present invention areexplained as the series of intra-subject images which are captured byusing the capsule endoscope 2 inserted into the subject 1. However, itis not necessarily limited to the intra-subject images, and may be anyimages of any subject as long as a series of images are captured atmultiple time points by using any imaging device.

Second Embodiment

Next, a radio system for acquiring intra-subject information includingan image display apparatus according to a second embodiment will beexplained. The image display apparatus in this radio system foracquiring intra-subject information has a function as a filing devicewhich stores patient information constituting of multiple kinds ofinformation for specifying the subject (subject person, patient, and thelike) in a storage unit as a database.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an entire configuration of the radiosystem for acquiring intra-subject information according to the secondembodiment. The radio system for acquiring intra-subject informationuses a capsule endoscope as one example of a body-insertable device. InFIG. 9, the radio system for acquiring intra-subject informationincludes a receiving device 102 which has a radio receiving function, acapsule endoscope (body-insertable device) 103 which is inserted into asubject 101, captures images inside the body cavity, and transmits datasuch as an image signal to the receiving device 102. The radio systemfor acquiring intra-subject information further includes an imagedisplay apparatus 104 which displays a body cavity image based on theimage signal received by the receiving device 102, and a communicationcable 105 which transfers data between the receiving device 102 and theimage display apparatus 104. The receiving device 102 includes areceiving jacket 102 a which is worn by the subject 101, and an externaldevice 102 b which performs processing and the like of radio signalsreceived via a plurality of antennas A1 to An attached to the receivingjacket 102 a.

The image display apparatus 104 displays a body cavity image (which maybe referred to also as an intra-subject image) captured by the capsuleendoscope 103, and has a configuration like a work station whichdisplays an image based on data obtained from the receiving device 102via the communication cable 105. Specifically, the image displayapparatus 104 may be configured to display directly on a CRT display,liquid crystal display, and the like, or may be configured to output animage to other media.

The communication cable 105 is normally detachable with respect to theexternal device 102 b and the image display apparatus 104. The externaldevice 102 b is configured to be capable of inputting/outputting orrecording data information when the communication cable 105 is connectedto both of the external device 102 b and the image display apparatus104. In the second embodiment, when the receiving device 102 isinitialized, for example, when old data such as image data stored in thestorage unit in the receiving device 102 in a previous examination isdeleted, or patient information is registered, the communication cable105 is connected to the external device 102 b and the image displayapparatus 104 to transmit data (e.g., patient information of a subjectto be registered in the receiving device 102) from the image displayapparatus 104 to the external device 102 b. When the initialization iscompleted, the communication cable 105 is removed from the externaldevice 102 b and the image display apparatus 104 to make the externaldevice 102 b and the display apparatus 104 unconnected. While thecapsule endoscope 103 travels inside the body cavity of the subject 101,the external device 102 b and the display apparatus 104 are keptunconnected with each other.

The external device 102 b receives and records data wirelesslytransmitted from the capsule endoscope 103. After the capsule endoscope103 is discharged from the subject 101, i.e., after the imaging of theinside of the subject 101 is finished, the communication cable 105 isconnected between the external device 102 b and the image displayapparatus 104, so that the image display apparatus 104 reads out thedata which is transmitted by the capsule endoscope 103 and recorded bythe external device 102 b. The communication between the external device102 b and the image display apparatus 104 according to the presentinvention is not limited to using the communication cable 105, and maybe performed via wireless connection or may be performed by connectingthe external device 102 b and the image display apparatus 104 with acradle capable of data synchronization. In this case, the image displayapparatus 104 and the cradle are connected through the communicationcable, the external device 102 b is disposed on the cradle, and thendata transfer is performed between the external device 102 b and theimage display apparatus 104. Patient information is an example ofidentification information of the patient, and_includes information suchas an examination ID like an examination date, a name, an age, and a sexof the patient.

Next, the configuration of the image display apparatus 104 according tothe second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. FIG.10 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the imagedisplay apparatus 104 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10,the image display apparatus 104 includes an input unit 120 as an inputunit; a database (abbreviated as DB in the following when appropriate)130 as a storage unit; a display unit 140 as a display unit; a controlunit 150; and an interface (abbreviated as I/F in the following whenappropriate) 160 as a communication connecting unit with otherequipment, and has a function of filing data information such as patientinformation and image information.

The input unit 120 realized by a pointing device such as a keyboard anda mouse inputs information for instructing the operation of the imagedisplay apparatus 104 and the processing to be performed by the imagedisplay apparatus 104, and transmits the instruction information to thecontrol unit 150. The input unit 120 also inputs selection-informationfor selecting a desired image from images displayed in a display area ofthe display unit 140. For example, when the mouse as the input unit 120is operated to move a cursor displayed on the screen to the imagedisplayed in the display area of the display unit 140, and the desiredimage is clicked on, the input unit 120 inputs instruction informationas selection-information for selecting the desired image.

The input unit 120, for example by operating the keyboard, inputspatient information necessary for initialization of the receiving device102, such as an examination ID, name, age, and sex of the patient, andthe like, and transmits the patient information to the control unit 150.When the input unit 120 searches the patient information or case datastored in the database 130, the input unit 120 inputs one piece of thepatient information, for example, patient name to be transmitted to asearch unit 151 of the control unit 150 described later. Here, “casedata” means various types of data related to the subject 101, a group ofimages of whose interior is captured by the capsule endoscope 103 or thelike. The case data includes, for example, patient information of thesubject 101, a series of intra-subject images, diagnosis data such as aresult of diagnosis of the subject 101.

The database 130 realized by a hard disc device and the like, forexample, is capable of retaining various images and the like, storingpatient information transmitted from the input unit 120, searching andreading of the information by the search unit 151. The database 130stores patient information of plural subjects and case data of one ormore subjects in a readable manner.

The display unit 140 realized by the CRT display, liquid crystaldisplay, and the like displays instruction information from the inputunit 120 or instruction results. The display unit 140 displays patientinformation input by the input unit 120 and patient information or casedata searched by the search unit 151 based on one piece of patientinformation input by the input unit 120. In this case, the display unit140 further displays, for example, a body cavity image of a group ofimages stored in the database 130, reduced-scale images (thumbnails)instructed by the instruction information, and the like.

The control unit 150 controls processing and operation of the input unit120, the database 130, and the display unit 140 each. The control unit150 includes the search unit 151 which searches patient information orcase data stored in the database 130. The search unit 151 searchesrelevant patient information or case data from patient information orcase data stored in the database based on one piece of informationincluded in the patient information, such as information on the patientname, input by an operation of the keyboard as the input unit 120performed by a user such as a doctor. The control unit 150 displays thepatient information or the case data found as a result of search on thedisplay unit 140. When there are plural patients having the same name, aplural pieces of patient information for plural patients are searchedand displayed, so that the user can select, by operating the mouse ofthe input unit 120, the relevant patient information of the subject tobe actually examined. When case data of plural subjects having the samename is stored in the database 130, the search unit 151 searches casedata of plural subjects matching a search key (such as a patient name),and the control unit 150 makes the display unit 140 display a list ofcase data of the plural subjects found by the search unit 151, so thatthe user can select the case data of an examined subject from the listof case data by manipulating the mouse of the input unit 120. Theinformation to be a search key for the patient information or the casedata is not limited to name, and may be any one piece of informationother than the patient name of the patient information, for example, anage.

The interface 160 is an input/output interface for connecting the imagedisplay apparatus 104 and another device, the receiving device 102, forexample. When the interface 160 is connected to the receiving device 102by the communication cable 105 or the like mentioned above forcommunication, the interface 160 works as a communication unit whichtransmits the patient information of the subject to be registered in thereceiving device 102 to the receiving device 102 under the control ofthe control unit 150. The patient information of the subject transmittedto the receiving device 102 through the interface 160 is registered inthe external device 102 b of the receiving device 102.

Next, an operation for searching patient information in the imagedisplay apparatus 104 will be explained with reference to the flowchartin FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a search operation ofpatient information performed by the image display apparatus 104according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, when the user such as adoctor operates the keyboard of the input unit 120 and completesinputting one piece of the patient information, for example, patientname information (step S201), the search unit 151 searches the database130 for patient information based on the input patient name (step S202).

Then, when the search unit 151 searches the relevant patientinformation, the patient information as the search result is displayedin the display area of the display unit 140 (step S203). When there isno relevant patient name input, all pieces of patient informationincluding the patient name, age, sex, examination ID, and the like areinput and stored in the database 130 (step S204).

The image display apparatus 104 electrically connected to the externaldevice 102 b of the receiving device 102 through the communication cable105, performs a data synchronization between the external device 102 band the image display apparatus 104 to enable a data transfer. Theexternal device 102 b includes a hard disc (not shown) as an internalstorage medium. Before the examination, the external device 102 b andthe image display apparatus 104 are connected through the communicationcable 105, and the searched patient information is transferred from theimage display apparatus 104 working as the work station to the externaldevice 102 b to be stored in the hard disc of the external device 102 b.Then, the external device 102 b registers the patient information of theexamined subject in an internal storage medium.

While the capsule endoscope 103 travels inside the body cavity of thesubject 101, the communication cable 105 is removed from the externaldevice 102 b, and then the external device 102 b is attached to thesubject 101 to record data transmitted from the capsule endoscope 103.After imaging of the inside of the subject 101 is finished, the externaldevice 102 b is again connected to the image display apparatus 104through the communication cable 105, and the image display apparatus 104reads out data (image information) recorded in the hard disc of theexternal device 102 b.

On the other hand, in the image display apparatus 104 which takes in thegroup of body cavity images of the subject 101 from the external device102 b, the control unit 150 makes the case data including the patientinformation identifying the subject 101 and the group of body cavityimages stored in the database 130. The process is repeated so that thedatabase 130 stores case data of plural subjects. The control unit 150makes the display unit 140 display case data found as a result of searchby the search unit 151 from plural pieces of case data stored in thedatabase 130.

Next, a search operation performed in the image display apparatus 104 tosearch the case data of the subject will be explained. The control unit150 follows substantially the same process procedures as the searchprocess procedures of the patient information from step S201 to stepS204 mentioned above, so as to search the database 130 for the case dataof a subject matching a search key, and displays the searched case dataon the display unit 140.

Specifically, at step S202 mentioned above, the search unit 151 searchesthe database 130 for the case data which includes a search key (such asa patient name which is an example of information included in thepatient information) input by the input unit 120 as a part of data. Whenplural pieces of case data stored in the database 130 include the searchkey, the search unit 151 searches plural matching pieces of case data.

On the other hand, in step S203 mentioned above, the control unit 150displays the case data searched by the search unit 151 on the displayunit 140. In this case, the control unit 150 displays the intra-subjectimages, patient information, and the like included in the case data onthe display unit 140 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. When the searchunit 151 finds plural pieces of case data as matches in step S202, thecontrol unit 150 displays a list of plural pieces of case data found bythe search unit 151 on the display unit 140, and also displaysinformation and a GUI on the display unit 140 to instruct to select thecase data of the examined subject from the list. The input unit 120inputs selection-information of the case data based on a manipulation bythe user to the control unit 150. The control unit 150 selects the casedata corresponding to the input selection-information from the list, anddisplays the intra-subject images, patient information, and the likeincluded in the selected case data on the display unit 140.

The control unit 150 has an image processing function similar to that ofthe control unit 15 of the image display apparatus 4 according to thefirst embodiment described above. The control unit 150 generates athumbnail mentioned above based on instruction information input by theinput unit 120, and additionally displays the generated thumbnail on thedisplay unit 140. The control unit 150 makes the thumbnail data includedin the case data. Further, when the diagnosis data such as a result ofdiagnosis of the subject is input by the input unit 120, the controlunit 150 makes the input diagnosis data included in the case data of thesubject. The control unit 150 updates the case data in the database 130with the case data including the newly generated thumbnail data,diagnosis data, and the like in step S204 mentioned above.

The control unit 150 can display all pieces of data in the case data onthe display unit 140 based on a instruction information input by theinput unit 120. Specifically, when the thumbnail data, the diagnosisdata, and the like are included in the case data in addition to a seriesof intra-subject images and the patient information, the control unit150 can display the thumbnail and the diagnosis data in addition to theseries of intra-subject images and the patient information on thedisplay unit 140.

In the second embodiment, since the search unit 151 searches thedatabase 130 for the entirety of the relevant patient information at astage where one piece of patient information is input and then controlsto display the search result on the display unit 140, and to transmitthe searched patient information to the receiving device 102 via theinterface 160. Therefore, patient information of a target subject can bequickly retrieved from the database 130 storing patient information ofplural subjects, and the retrieved patient information can be easilyregistered in the receiving device of the group of intra-subject images.As a result, a labor of inputting the patient information at theregistration of the patient information to the receiving device can besaved.

Further, in the second embodiment, the search unit 151 searches thedatabase 130 for the case data of the subject including one piece ofinput information at a stage where the one piece of patient informationis input, and_then the searched case data of the subject is displayed onthe display unit 140. Therefore, case data of a target subject can bequickly retrieved from the database 130 storing data group including agroup of intra-subject_images, patient information, and the like. As aresult, data concerning the subject such as a series of intra-subjectimages, patient information, results of diagnosis, and the like includedin the case data of the examined subject can be quickly output anddisplayed.

Modification

In the second embodiment, patient information or case data is searchedat the stage where the user completes inputting one piece of the patientinformation. However, the search unit 151 may start searching in themiddle of inputting one piece of the patient information, i.e., at atime when a part of one piece of the patient information is input. Inthe modification, patient information or case data including the patientinformation of a patient family name which is the same as the namepreviously searched right before the current search is controlled to bedisplayed on the display area of the display unit 140 by searching thedatabase 130 at a time when the family name of the patient full name isinput by the input unit 120. The patient information and the case datain the database 130 is appended with history information indicating thedate of searching the patient information, for example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the modification of the second embodiment forexplaining a search operation of patient information in the imagedisplay apparatus 104. In this modification, a case where patientinformation or case data of a patient named “Hanako Yamada” is, forexample, searched will be explained (the same is applied to the otherembodiments to be described below).

In FIG. 12, when the user inputs one piece of patient information“Hanako Yamada” by operating the keyboard of the input unit 120 (stepS301), the search unit 151, at a time when “Yamada” is input (Yes instep S302), searches the database 130 for patient information whichincludes “Yamada” and is searched right before the current search basedon history information (step S303), and displays the searched patientinformation in the display area of the display unit 140 (step S304). Ifno such search key is input (No in step S302), process procedures returnto step S301. In the modification, when there is no relevant patientname “Hanako Yamada”, all pieces of patient information including thepatient name, age, sex, examination ID, and the like are input andstored in the database 130 (step S305).

Next, a search operation performed in the image display apparatus 104according to the modification of the second embodiment to search casedata of the subject will be explained. In the modification of the secondembodiment, the control unit 150 follows substantially the same processprocedures as the search process procedures of the patient informationfrom step S301 to step S305 mentioned above, so as to search thedatabase 130 for the case data of a subject based on a search key, i.e.,a part of the patient information, and displays the searched case dataon the display unit 140.

Specifically, at step S303 mentioned above, the search unit 151 searchesthe database 130 for the case data which includes a search key (e.g., apart of the name of the subject included in the patient information,such as “Yamada”) input by the input unit 120 as a part of data. Whenplural pieces of case data stored in the database 130 include the searchkey, the search unit 151 searches plural matching pieces of case data.

On the other hand, in step S304 mentioned above, the control unit 150makes the display unit 140 display the case data found as a result ofsearch by the search unit 151. In this case, the control unit 150displays the intra-subject images, patient information, and the likeincluded in the case data on the display unit 140 as shown in FIG. 3,for example. When the search unit 151 finds plural pieces of case dataas matches in step S303, the control unit 150 displays a list of pluralpieces of case data found by the search unit 151 on the display unit140, and also displays information and GUI on the display unit 140 toinstruct to select the case data of the examined subject from the list.Thereafter, case data corresponding to the selection-information inputby the input unit 120 is selected from the list, and the display unit140 displays the intra-subject images, patient information, and the likeincluded in the selected case data.

Further, when at least one of the thumbnail and the diagnosis dataconcerning the case data is generated, the control unit 150 updates thecase data in the database 130 with the case data including thenewly-generated thumbnail data, diagnosis data, and the like in stepS305 mentioned above. The control unit 150 can display the series ofintra-subject images, patient information, thumbnail, and diagnosis dataincluded in the case data searched from the database 130 on the displayunit 140.

In this modification of the second embodiment as described, since thesearch unit 151 searches the database 130 for relevant patientinformation at the time when at least a part of one piece of patientinformation is input, and then controls to display the search result onthe display unit 140, and controls to transmit the searched patientinformation to the receiving device 102 through the interface 160.Therefore, patient information of a target subject can be quicklyretrieved from the database 130 storing patient information of pluralsubjects, and a labor of inputting the patient information can be savedat the registration of the patient information of the subject to thereceiving device of the group of intra-subject images.

Further, in this modification of the second_embodiment, the search unit151 searches the database 130 for relevant case data of a subjectincluding the input piece of patient information at the time when atleast a part of the piece of patient information is input, and thencontrols to display the searched case data of the subject on the displayunit 140. Therefore, case data of a target subject can be more quicklyretrieved from the database 130, and data concerning the subject such asa series of intra-subject images, patient information, diagnosis result,and the like included in the case data of an examined subject can bemore quickly output and displayed.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a filingsystem including an image display apparatus according to a thirdembodiment. In FIG. 13, an image display apparatus 104 according to thethird embodiment is different from the image display apparatus accordingto the second embodiment in that a selector 152 is provided in thecontrol unit 150 as a selector which selects a target database to besearched for patient information or case data when there are a pluralityof databases in a system, and that the image display apparatus isconnected to a server 106, which stores data concerning the subject suchas patient information as case data, via the interface 160.

In the filing system according to the third embodiment, the imagedisplay apparatus 104 constitutes a second filing device, and the server106 constitutes a first filing device. The image display apparatus 104includes the input unit 120 as a second input unit having the samefunction as in the image display apparatus according to the secondembodiment; the database 130 as a second storage unit; the display unit140 as a second display unit; the control unit 150; the search unit 151as a second search unit; and the interface 160, other than the selector152. The selector 152 selects a database which is searched for patientinformation or case data with respect to the database 130 in the imagedisplay apparatus and a database 131 in the server 106. In the thirdembodiment, the database 130 in the image display apparatus having ahigher hit rate in information search is selected first, and thedatabase 131 is then selected when there is no relevant patientinformation or case data found in the database 130.

The server 106 includes an input unit 121 as a first input unit havingthe same function as in the image display apparatus 104 according to thesecond embodiment; the database 131 as a first storage unit; a displayunit 141 as a first display unit; a control unit 170; a search unit 171as a first search unit; and an interface 161. When the selector 152selects the database 131 as a target for search, the search unit 171searches the database 131 for relevant patient information based on apart of one piece of the patient information input by the input unit 120to output the search result of patient information to the image displayapparatus 104 via the interface 161 (this is the same function as in themodification of the second embodiment). Even when patient information isinput by the input unit 121, the search unit 171 searches database 131for the relevant patient information based on a part of one piece of thepatient information, and controls to display the search result ofpatient information or case data in the display area of the display unit141.

In the image display apparatus 104 according to the third embodiment,the interface 160 is selectively connected to the receiving device 102of the group of intra-subject images or to the external server 106 forcommunication. The interface 160 works as a communication unit thattransmits/receives data between the image display apparatus 104 and thereceiving device 102 when connected to the external device 102 b of thereceiving device 102 via the communication cable 105 or the like forcommunication, and serves as a communication unit thattransmits/receives data between the image display apparatus 104 and theserver 106 when connected to the server 106 via the interface 161 of theserver 106 or the like for communication.

Next, an operation for searching patient information in a filing systemaccording to the third embodiment will be explained with reference tothe flowchart in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a searchoperation of the patient information in the filing system according tothe third embodiment. In FIG. 14, when the user inputs one piece ofpatient information “Hanako Yamada” by operating the keyboard of theinput unit 120 (step S401), the search unit 151, at a time when input ofat least a part of information, such as “Yamada” is completed (Yes instep S402), the selector 152 selects the database 130 in the imagedisplay apparatus as a target for search (step S403). On the other hand,when such a search key is not input (No in step S402), the processprocedures returns to step S401.

Next, in response to the selection of the database 130 by the selector152, the search unit 151 searches the database 130 for patientinformation including the name of “Yamada”, which is searched rightbefore the current search, based on the history information (step S404),and displays the searched patient information in the display area of thedisplay unit 140 (step S406) when the relevant patient information isfound as a result of search (Yes in step S405).

Here, when the search unit 151 cannot find relevant patient information(No in step S405), the selector 152 selects the database 131 as a searchtarget at step S403. Specifically, the selector 152 repeats theselection process of the search-target database until the search unit151 finds relevant patient information for the search key. Thisselection-information of the database used by the selector 152 istransmitted to the server 106 via the interface 160. Then, in responseto the selection of the database 131 by the selector 152, the searchunit 171 of the server 106 searches the database selected based on theselection-information, i.e., the database 131 selected by the selector152 for patient information including the name of “Yamada”, which issearched right before the current search, based on the historyinformation (step S404). When the relevant patient information is foundfrom the database 131 (Yes in step S405), the control unit 170 transmitsthe search result of patient information to the image display apparatus104 via the interface 161.

When the search unit 151 of the image display apparatus 104 retrievesthe patient information thereby finishing the search process of thepatient information, and the control unit 150 makes the searched patientinformation is displayed in the display area of the display unit 140(step S406), and stores the patient information in the database 130(step S407). In the third embodiment, when there is no relevant patientname “Hanako Yamada”, the server 106 transmits the search result thatthere is no targeted information to the image display apparatus 104, forexample, and then the control unit 150, based on the search result,controls to input all pieces of patient information such as the patientname, age, sex, examination ID, and the like and to store theinformation in the database 130 (step S407).

Next, a search operation performed in the image display apparatus 104according to the third embodiment to search the case data of the subjectwill be explained. In the third embodiment, the control unit 150 followssubstantially the same process procedures as the search processprocedures of the patient information from step S401 to step S407mentioned above, so as to select the database as a search target of thecase data, search the case data of the subject based on a search key,i.e., at least a part of patient information, and display the searchedcase data on the display unit 140.

Specifically, when a search key, i.e., at least a part of patientinformation (such as “Yamada” of the subject name “Hanako Yamada”) isinput by the input unit 120, the selector 152 selects database as asearch target of the case data in step S403, and repeats the selectionprocess of the database until the search unit 151 finds relevant casedata for the search key. The selector 152 first selects the database 130in the image display apparatus 104 where information hit rate is high inthe search process of case data. When the case data is not found in thedatabase 130, the selector 152 selects the database 131 in the server106.

On the other hand, in step S404 mentioned above, the search unit 151searches the database (more specifically, the database 130 or 131)selected by the selector 152 for case data including a search key (e.g.,a part of patient name in the patient information, such as “Yamada”)input by the input unit 120 as a part of data. When the case datacorresponding to the search key is stored in the database 130 of theapparatus (i.e., image display apparatus 104), the search unit 151searches the database 130 for the relevant case data to finish thesearch process of the case data. On the other hand, when the case datacorresponding to the search key is stored in the database 131 in theserver 106, the search unit 171 of the server 106 searches the database131 which is selected according to the selection-information from theselector 152 for the case data corresponding to the search key. Thesearch unit 151 acquires the case data found through the search by thesearch unit 171 of the server 106 via the interface 160 to finish thesearch process of the case data. When plural pieces of case dataincluding the search key are stored in each of the databases 130 and131, the search units 151 and 171 search plural relevant pieces of casedata.

In addition, in step S406 mentioned above, the control unit 150 displaysthe case data found as a result of search by the search unit 151 on thedisplay unit 140. In this case, the control unit 150 displaysintra-subject images, patient information, and the like included in thecase data on the display unit 140 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Whenthe search unit 151 finds plural pieces of case data as a result ofsearch in step S404 mentioned above, the control unit 150 displays alist of plural pieces of case data searched by the search unit on thedisplay unit 140, and also displays information and a GUI on the displayunit 140 to instruct to select the case data of the examined subjectfrom the list, similarly to the case of patient information describedabove. Thereafter, case data corresponding to the selection-informationinput by the input unit 120 is selected from the list, and the displayunit 140 displays the intra-subject images, patient information, and thelike included in the selected case data.

Further, when at least one of the thumbnail and diagnosis dataconcerning the case data is generated, the control unit 150 updates thecase data in the database 130 with the case data includingnewly-generated thumbnail data, diagnosis data, and the like in stepS407 mention above. The control unit 150 can display the series ofintra-subject images, patient information, thumbnail, diagnosis data,and the like included in the case data searched from the database 130 onthe display unit 140. When the case data displayed on the display unit140 is case data searched from the database 131 of the server 106, thecontrol unit 150 stores the case data acquired from the server 106 inthe database 130.

In the third embodiment as described, when there are a plurality ofdatabases in the system, patient information of a target subject issearched from data group in the selected database after the selectorselects a target database for search. Thus, it is possible to securelyretrieve necessary patient information for the registration of patientinformation in the receiving device of the group of intra-subject imagesfrom the plurality of databases with the same advantages as in thesecond embodiment.

Further, in the third embodiment, when there are plural databases in thesystem, case data of a target subject is searched from data group in theselected database after the selector selects a target database forsearch. Thus, it is possible to securely retrieve necessary case datafor the intra-body examination or the diagnosis of the subject from theplural databases with the same advantages as in the second embodiment.As a result, data concerning the subject such as a series ofintra-subject images, patient information, diagnosis result, and thelike included in the case data of the examined subject can be quicklyand securely output and displayed.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a filing systemincluding an image display apparatus according to a fourth embodiment;FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a search operation of patientinformation in the filing system according to the fourth embodiment; andFIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating one example of the patient informationto be displayed on the display unit 140 of the image display apparatus104 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 15, the fourthembodiment differs from the third embodiment in that a confirmationcontroller 153 is provided in the control unit 150 of the image displayapparatus 104 as a confirmation controller for controlling theconfirmation of the patient information. As shown in FIG. 17, theconfirmation controller 153 displays, in the display area 142 of thedisplay unit 140, name [NAME], age [Age], sex [Sex], and examination ID[ID] as the patient information which shows characteristics of thesubject, and controls to display a confirmation button 143 which allowsthe user to confirm the patient information.

When the confirmation button 143 is right-clicked on by operating themouse of the input unit 120 to move the cursor on the screen,confirmation completion information indicating that the patientinformation is confirmed is input to the confirmation controller 153.When the confirmation completion information is input, the confirmationcontroller 153 determines that the user has confirmed the patientinformation. The control unit 150 controls the interface 160 to transmitthe patient information which is determined to have been confirmed bythe user to the receiving device 102 via the communication cable 105.

Next, an operation for searching patient information in the filingsystem will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 16. InFIG. 16, when the user inputs one piece of patient information “HanakoYamada” by operating the keyboard of the input unit 120 (step S501), ata time when input of at least a part of the information, e.g., “Yamada”is completed (Yes in step S502), the selector 152 selects the database130 in the image display apparatus as a search target in the same way asin the third embodiment (step S503). On the other hand, when there is noinput of such a search key (No in step S502), the process proceduresreturn to step S501.

Next, in response to the selection of the database 130 by the selector152, the search unit 151 searches the database 130 for patientinformation including the name of “Yamada”, which is searched rightbefore the current search, based on the history information (step S504).When the relevant patient information is found (Yes in step S505), thesearch unit 151 displays the searched patient information and theconfirmation button 143 (see FIG. 17) in the display area of the displayunit 140 (step S506).

When the mouse of the input unit 120 is operated to move the cursor onthe screen, and a confirmation operation of right-clicking on theconfirmation button 143 is performed (step S507), only the patientinformation is displayed on the screen (step S508).

Here, when the search unit 151 cannot find relevant patient information(No in step S505), the selector 152 selects the database 131 as a searchtarget at step S503. In other words, the selector 152 repeats theselection process of the database as the search target until the searchunit 151 finds patient information corresponding to the search key. Thisselection-information of the database in the selector 152 is transmittedto the server 106 via the interface 160. Then, the search unit 171 ofthe server 106 searches the database selected according to theselection-information, i.e., the database 131 selected by the selector152, for patient information including the name of “Yamada”, which issearched right before the current search, based on the historyinformation (step S504). When the relevant patient information is foundin the database 131 (Yes in step S505), the control unit 170 transmitsthe search result of patient information to the image display apparatus104 via the interface 161.

When the search unit 151 of the image display apparatus 104 retrievesthe patient information to finish the search process of the patientinformation, the control unit 150 displays confirmation information ofthe searched patient information and the confirmation button 143 in thedisplay area of the display unit 140 (step S506). When the mouse of theinput unit 120 is operated to move the cursor on the screen, and aconfirmation operation of right-clicking on the confirmation button 143is performed (step S507), only the patient information is displayed onthe screen (step S508), and the patient information is stored in thedatabase 130 (step S509). In the fourth embodiment, when there is norelevant patient name “Hanako Yamada”, all pieces of patient informationsuch as the patient name, age, sex, examination ID, and the like areinput and stored in the database 130 (step S509).

The patient information whose content is confirmed is transmitted to theexternal device 102 b of the receiving device 102 through the interface160 under the control of the control unit 150. As a result, the externaldevice 102 b registers only the patient information whose content isconfirmed by the user in the internal storage medium.

Next, a search operation performed in the image display apparatus 104according to the fourth embodiment to search the case data of thesubject will be explained. In the fourth embodiment, the control unit150 follows substantially the same process procedures as the searchprocess procedures of the patient information from step S501 to S509mentioned above, so as to select the database as a search target of thecase data, search the selected database for the case data of the subjectbased on a search key, i.e., at least a part of the patient information,perform a confirmation operation of the patient information of the casedata corresponding to the search key, and display the searched case dataon the display unit 140.

Specifically, when a search key, i.e., at least a part of the patientinformation (such as “Yamada” in the subject name “Hanako Yamada”) isinput by the input unit 120, the selector 152 selects the database as asearch target for the case data in step S503, and repeats the selectionprocess of the database until the search unit 151 finds the case datacorresponding to the search key. The selector 152 first selects thedatabase 130 in the image display apparatus 104 where information hitrate is high in the search process of case data. When the case data isnot found in the database 130, the selector 152 selects the database 131in the server 106.

On the other hand, in step S504 mentioned above, the search unit 151searches the database (more specifically, the database 130 or 131)selected by the selector 152 for case data including a search key (e.g.,a part of patient name in the patient information, such as “Yamada”)input by the input unit 120 as a part of data. When the case datacorresponding to the search key is stored in the database 130 of theapparatus (i.e., image display apparatus 104), the search unit 151searches the database 130 for the relevant case data to finish thesearch process of the case data. On the other hand, when_the case datacorresponding to the search key is stored in the database 131 in theserver 106, the search unit 171 of the server 106 searches the database131 which is selected according to the selection-information from theselector 152 for the case data corresponding to the search key. Thesearch unit 151 acquires the case data found through the search by thesearch unit 171 of the server 106 via the interface 160 to finish thesearch process of the case data. When plural pieces of case dataincluding the search key are stored in each of the databases 130 and131, the search units 151 and 171 search plural relevant pieces of casedata.

In step S506 mentioned above, the confirmation controller 153 displaysconfirmation information of the patient information included in the casedata searched by the search unit 151 together with the confirmationbutton 143 on the display unit 140. The confirmation controller 153receives confirmation completion information from the input unit 120when the confirmation button 143 is pressed in step S507. Based on thereceived confirmation completion information, the confirmationcontroller 153 determines that the patient information of the case datais confirmed by the user. When the search unit 151 finds plural piecesof case data as a result of search, the confirmation controller 153displays confirmation information of each piece of patient informationincluded in plural pieces of case data together with the confirmationbutton 143 on the display unit 140. The confirmation controller 153receives instruction information instructing to select desired patientinformation from plural pieces of patient information and conformationcompletion information input by the input unit 120. The confirmationcontroller 153 determines that the desired patient information isconfirmed, based on the instruction information and the confirmationcompletion information.

The control unit 150 displays case data of which patient information isdetermined to have been confirmed by the confirmation controller 153 onthe display unit 140 in step S508. In this case, the control unit 150displays intra-subject images, patient information, and the likeincluded in the case data on the display unit 140 as shown in FIG. 3,for example.

Further, when at least one of the thumbnail and diagnosis dataconcerning the case data is generated, the control unit 150 updates thecase data in the database 130 with the case data includingnewly-generated thumbnail data, diagnosis data, and the like in stepS509 mentioned above. The control unit 150 can display the series ofintra-subject images, patient information, thumbnail, diagnosis data,and the like included in the case data searched from the database 130 onthe display unit 140. When the case data displayed on the display unit140 is case data searched from the database 131 of the server 106, thecontrol unit 150 stores the case data acquired from the server 106 inthe database 130.

Thus in the fourth embodiment, the selector selects a database as asearch target from plural databases similarly to the third embodiment,patient information of a target subject is searched from the data groupin the selected database, and the searched patient information isconfirmed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistake in handlingpatient information and to improve the reliability of the searchedpatient information with the same advantages as in the third embodiment.

Thus in the fourth embodiment, the selector selects a database as asearch target from plural databases similarly to the third embodiment,case data of a target subject is searched from the data group in theselected database, and the patient information included in the searchedcase data is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistakein handling the patient information of the case data output anddisplayed at the examination or the diagnosis of the subject, and toimprove the reliability of the searched case data with the sameadvantages as in the third embodiment.

In the second to fourth embodiments, the image display apparatus 104having the function especially as a filing device is explained. However,the image display apparatus 104 may be combined with the function of theimage display in the image display apparatus 4 according to the firstembodiment. In the first embodiment, the image display apparatus 4having the function especially of displaying images is explained.However, the image display apparatus 4 may be combined with the functionas a filing device in the image display apparatus 104 according to thesecond to fourth embodiments. For example, the control unit 15 of theimage display apparatus 4 according to the first embodiment may includethe search unit 151, the selector 152, and the confirmation controller153 as appropriate. The control unit 150 of the image display apparatusaccording to the second to the fourth embodiments may include the imagedisplay controller 15 a and the image processing controller 15 bmentioned earlier.

Further, in the second to the fourth embodiment described above, atleast a part of information included in the patient information is inputas a search key of the patient information or the case data. The searchkey is not limited thereto. For example, at least a part of informationincluded in the case data, such as at least a part of identificationinformation identifying a subject, such as patient information ordiagnosis data of a subject may be input as a search key, and patientinformation or case data corresponding to the search key may besearched.

The image display apparatus according to the present invention canquickly search patient information of a desired subject from patientinformation of plural subjects stored in the database, quickly transmitsthe searched patient information of the subject to the receiving deviceof intra-subject images, and reduce labor required for an input ofpatient information at a time of registration of the patient informationto the receiving device.

The image display apparatus according to the present invention is usefulas an image display apparatus which displays a series of images capturedinside the subject, such as a patient, more specifically as an imagedisplay apparatus which can search patient information of a desiredsubject from a database storing patient information of plural subjects,and easily transmit the searched patient information to a receivingdevice of a group of intra-subject images.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An image display apparatus comprising: a database that stores patientinformation including plural pieces of information of a subject; adisplay unit that displays a group of intra-subject images of thesubject captured by a capsule endoscope and patient information; aninput unit that inputs at least a part of information included inpatient information of a desired subject; a control unit that searchesthe patient information of plural subjects stored in the database forthe patient information of the desired subject based on the at least apart of information input by the input unit, to display the searchedpatient information on the display unit; and a communication unit thattransmits the patient information searched by the control unit to anexternal receiving device that receives a group of intra-subject imagesfrom the capsule endoscope in the desired subject.
 2. The image displayapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database stores case datawhich includes at least patient information of a subject and a group ofintra-subject images, the input unit inputs at least a part ofinformation in related information of the desired subject, and thecontrol unit searches case data of plural subjects stored in thedatabase for case data including the at least a part of informationinput by the input unit to display the searched case data on the displayunit.
 3. The image display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein therelated information is one of patient information and diagnosis data ofa subject.
 4. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe control unit searches for plural pieces of patient informationincluding the at least a part of information input by the input unit, todisplay a list of searched plural pieces of patient information on thedisplay unit.
 5. The image display apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the control unit searches for plural pieces of case dataincluding the at least a part of information input by the input unit, todisplay a list of searched plural pieces of case data on the displayunit.
 6. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecommunication unit is selectively connected to one of an external serverhaving a database storing patient information of plural subjects and anexternal receiving device for communication, and the control unitselects one of the database of the external server connected to thecommunication unit for communication and the database, searches thepatient information of plural subjects stored in the database selectedfor patient information including the at least a part of informationinput by the input unit, and displays the searched patient informationon the display unit.
 7. The image display apparatus according to claim2, wherein the communication unit is selectively connected to one of anexternal server having a database storing case data of plural subjectsand an external receiving device for communication, the control unitselects one of the database of the external server connected to thecommunication unit for communication and the database, searches the casedata of plural subjects stored in the database selected for case dataincluding the at least a part of information input by the input unit, todisplay the searched case data on the display unit.
 8. The image displayapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputsconfirmation completion information indicating that the patientinformation searched by the control unit is confirmed, and the controlunit determines that confirmation of the patient information iscompleted based on the confirmation completion information, and controlsthe communication unit to transmit the patient information whoseconfirmation is completed to the external receiving device.
 9. The imagedisplay apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit inputsconfirmation completion information indicating that the patientinformation searched by the control unit is confirmed, and the controlunit determines that confirmation of the patient information iscompleted based on the confirmation completion information, and displaysthe case data including the patient information whose confirmation iscompleted on the display unit.